Apparatus and method for displaying images

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is an image display apparatus including a storage unit storing a plurality of images, an input unit receiving a selection command for selecting one or more images from among the plurality of images, and a display unit displaying at least one image of the selected images in a first zone and at least one second image of the selected images in a second zone.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 14/167,348 filed Jan. 29,2014, which claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No.2013-0009610, filed on Jan. 29, 2013 in the Korean Intellectual PropertyOffice, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an image displayapparatus and a method for displaying images on the image displayapparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, imaging apparatuses are used to photograph the externalappearances, internal tissues, or structures of target subjects and/ordisplay the photographed images. In general, an imaging apparatusinclude one or both of a photographing device and a display device.

The photographing device radiates visible light, infrared light,radiation such as X-ray, ultrasonic waves or the like to a targetsubject to collect various data about the target subject, and thencreates an image of the target subject based on the collected data.Since the collected data cannot be visually interpreted or recognized asit is by a user, the photographing device performs image processing onthe collected data using an image processor to acquire an image of thetarget subject which can be visibly recognized by a user.

The display device displays the image created by the photographing unit.Specifically, the display device displays the image, for example, apicture or an ultrasonic image in real time or in non-real time througha camera display mounted on a camera or a monitor connected to anultrasonic imaging apparatus or the like so that the user can see theexternal appearance or internal tissue of the target subject.

The imaging apparatus may be a camera, a camcorder, an ultrasonicimaging apparatus, digital radiography (DR), computed tomography (CT),or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus. The above informationdisclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement ofunderstanding of the background of the invention and therefore it maycontain information that does not form any part of the prior art.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a method andapparatus for simultaneously displaying a plurality of independentimages acquired by an imaging apparatus or the like.

Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in part in thedescription which follows and, in part, will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an ultrasonicimaging apparatus includes: a display unit; and a controller controllingthe display unit to display at least one first image of a plurality ofimages to be displayed in a zone on a screen of the display unit, and atleast one second image of the plurality of images to be displayed in theother zone on the screen of the display unit.

The second image may be an image decided according to the first image,or the first image may be an image decided according to the secondimage.

The ultrasonic imaging apparatus may further include an input unitreceiving a selection command for selecting the first image or thesecond image from the outside.

In this case, the input unit may receive a selection command forselecting the first image or the second image from among the pluralityof images. Also, the input unit may receive a selection command forselecting the at least one second image from the at least one firstimage, or a selection command for selecting the at least one first imagefrom the at least one second image.

Meanwhile, the at least one first image may be at least one of the atleast one second image, or the at least one second image may be at leastone of the at least one first image.

Also, the plurality of images may be a plurality of image framesclassified into at least one image group, the first image may be a firstimage frame, and the second image may be a second image frame. In thiscase, the first image frame and the second image frame may be differentimage frames belonging to the same image group. The second image framemay be a preceding image frame preceding the first image frame or afollowing image frame following the first image frame. A predeterminednumber of preceding image frames or a predetermined number of followingimage frames may be displayed in the other zone on the screen of thedisplay unit. Also, the second image frame may be an image frame beingwithin a predetermined frame interval from the first image frame.

Meanwhile, the first image frame and the second image frame may be imageframes belonging to different image groups.

If the first image frame moves, the second image frame may move incorrespondence to the movement of the first image frame, or if thesecond image frame moves, the first image frame may move incorrespondence to the movement of the second image frame.

The display unit may be a touch screen receiving an external commandaccording to a user's touch operation. In this case, at least one of thefirst image and the second image may be decided according to a user'sgesture input to the touch screen.

At least one of a first image and a second image, displayed in a zone onthe touch screen or in the other zone on the touch screen, may changeaccording to a user's gesture input to the touch screen. Also, at leastone of a first image and a second image, displayed in a zone on thetouch screen or in the other zone on the touch screen, may be fixedaccording to a user's gesture input to the touch screen.

Meanwhile, when the first image changes according to a touch operationinput to the touch screen, the second image may change in correspondenceto the change of the first image, or when the second image changesaccording to a touch operation input to the touch screen, the firstimage may change in correspondence to the change of the second image.

Also, the plurality of images may be a plurality of image framesclassified into at least one image group, the first image may be a firstimage frame, the second image may be a second image frame, and a frameinterval between the first image frame and the second image frame may bedecided according to a touch operation input to the touch screen.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, anultrasonic imaging apparatus may include a controller controlling thedisplay unit to display: a first set of images comprising at least onefirst image of a plurality of images to be displayed in a first zone ofa screen of the display unit, and a second set of images comprising atleast one second image of the plurality of images to be displayed in asecond zone of the screen of the display unit. The first image may be animage of the second set of images, or the second image may be an imageof the first set of images.

The first image frame and the second image frame may be included in aordered sequence of frames. The second image frame may be preceding thefirst image frame in the sequence of frames or the second image framemay be following the first image frame in the sequence of frames.

If the first zone displays a first video as a sequence of framescomprising the first image frame, then the second zone may display asecond video as a sequence of frames comprising the second image frameand the second video is displayed in relation to the first video. If thesecond zone displays a second video as a sequence of frames comprisingthe second image frame, then the first zone may display a first video asa sequence of frames comprising the first image frame and the firstvideo is displayed in relation to the second video.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an X-rayimaging apparatus includes: a display unit; and a controller controllingthe display unit to display at least one first image of a plurality ofimages to be displayed in a zone on a screen of the display unit, and atleast one second image of the plurality of images to be displayed in theother zone on the screen of the display unit.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, anultrasonic image display method includes: acquiring a plurality ofimages; deciding at least one first image and at least one second imagefrom the plurality of images; and displaying the at least one firstimage in a first zone of a display screen, and the at least one secondimage in a second zone of the display screen.

The deciding of the first image and the second image may include:selecting the at least one first image from among the plurality ofimages; and deciding the at least one second image based on the at leastone first image selected from among the plurality of images. In thiscase, the at least one second image may be different from the at leastone first image.

The second image may be a preceding image preceding the first image or afollowing image following the first image. The second image mat be apreceding image preceding the first image or a following image followingthe first image in a sequence of frames comprising the first image andthe second image.

Also, the deciding of the first image and the second image may includeselecting the at least one first image and the at least one second imagethat is different from the first image, from among the plurality ofimages.

The deciding of the first image and the second image may include:deciding a plurality of second images from the plurality of images;displaying the decided second images in a second zone of the displayscreen; and selecting at least one first image from among the secondimages displayed in the second zone of the display screen.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an X-rayimage display method includes: acquiring a plurality of images; decidingat least one first image and at least one second image from theplurality of images; and displaying the at least one first image in afirst zone of a display screen, and the at least one second image in asecond zone of the display screen.

According to the image display apparatus and method as described above,it is possible to simultaneously display a plurality of images on ascreen.

Also, a user can easily search for images that he/she wants to see.

Furthermore, the user can see an image taken at a specific time togetherwith another image taken within a predetermined time period from thespecific time to compare the images.

More specifically, when the image display apparatus is a radiationimaging apparatus, such as digital radiography (DR) or computedtomography (CT), or an ultrasonic imaging apparatus, the user canselectively display a plurality of ultrasonic images or a plurality ofradiation images, and compare and analyze the images, thereby moreaccurately understanding the internal tissue or structure of a targetsubject, which will lead to an accurate determination of lesion and thelike and help diagnose patients. It is to be understood that both theforegoing general description and the following detailed description areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects of the invention will become apparent andmore readily appreciated from the following description of theembodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings ofwhich:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image display apparatus according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate images displayed on a display unit, accordingto exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an image display apparatus according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an ultrasonic imaging apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an ultrasonic imaging apparatus accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view for describing beamforming of an ultrasonic imagingapparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 illustrates an ultrasonic image created by an ultrasonic imagingapparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a plurality of ultrasonic images created by anultrasonic imaging apparatus;

FIG. 10 illustrates a screen displayed on a display unit of anultrasonic imaging apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a display controller according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 12 to 15 illustrate various screens displayed on a display unit ofan ultrasonic imaging apparatus, according to exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of an ultrasonic imaging apparatus having atouch screen, according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 17 to 20 are views for describing various touch inputs for anultrasonic imaging apparatus having a touch screen, according toexemplary embodiments of the present invention; and

FIGS. 21 to 23 are flowcharts of image display methods according toexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the presentinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elementsthroughout. This invention may, however, be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments setforth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that thisdisclosure is thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the inventionto those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the size and relativesizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. Likereference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it isintended that the present invention cover the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, unless otherwisedescribed, the same drawing reference numerals are understood to referto the same elements, features, and structures. The relative size anddepiction of these elements may be exaggerated for clarity.

Although some features may be described with respect to individualexemplary embodiments, aspects need not be limited thereto such thatfeatures from one or more exemplary embodiments may be combinable withother features from one or more exemplary embodiments.

The aspects of the invention in this application are not limited to thedisclosed operations and sequence of operations. For instance,operations may be performed by various elements and components, may beconsolidated, may be omitted, and may be altered without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention.

(1) Hereinafter, an image display apparatus according to an embodimentof the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to4. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image display apparatus according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1,the image display apparatus may include an input unit 1, a settingstorage unit 2, a controller 3, and a display unit 4.

The input unit 1 receives various instructions or commands, such as astart command, a display mode selection command, a display command, andan image movement command, from a user.

The setting storage unit 2 stores various setting information that isused by the controller 3 to control the display unit 4. The varioussetting information includes formats of images that are to be displayedon the display unit 4, locations at which the images are to bedisplayed, the number of the images (e.g., the number of first images,the number of second images, or sizes of the images), a relationshipbetween the images (e.g., a relationship between the first and secondimages), information about zones in which the images are to bedisplayed, etc.

The controller 3 controls the display unit 4 according to a user′command received through the input unit 1 or according to varioussetting information stored in the setting storage unit 2.

The display unit 4 displays a plurality of images on a screen accordingto a control command from the controller 3.

FIG. 2 illustrates images displayed on the display unit 4, according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG.2, the display unit 4 may display a plurality of images, for example,first and second images i1 and i2 on a screen d. More specifically, thedisplay unit 4 may display the first image i1 in an area of the screend, and the second image i2 in another area of the screen d.

In order for the display unit 4 to display the first image i1 in an areaof the screen d, and the second image i2 in another area of the screend, the screen d of the display unit 4 is divided into a plurality ofzones capable of displaying different images. Each zone corresponds toan area of a screen that is displayed on the display unit 4. The screend may be divided into two zones, as illustrated in FIG. 2, or into threezones or more.

In the example of FIG. 2, one of the divided zones is referred to as afirst zone z1, and the other one of the zones is referred to as a secondzone z2. According to one exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG.2, the first and second zones z1 and z2 are displayed not to overlapeach other. According to another exemplary embodiment, the first andsecond zones z1 and z2 overlap partially. The first and second zones z1and z2 may have the same size, that is, the same width and height.However, the first and second zones z1 and z2 may have different sizes.That is, the first and second zones z1 and z2 may have different widthsand/or heights. In this case, the first and second zones z1 and z2 mayhave the same ratio of height to width although the width and height ofthe first zone z1 are different from those of the second zone z2.

The first image i1 is displayed on the first zone z1 that is an area ofthe screen d, and the second image i2 is displayed on the second zone z2that is another area of the screen d. If the size of the first zone z1is different from that of the second zone z2, the first and secondimages i1 and i2 may also be displayed with different sizes.

Also, the first image i1 displayed in the first zone z1 and the secondimage i2 displayed in the second zone z2 may be the same image ordifferent images.

Also, a plurality of first images i1 may be displayed in the first zonez1 simultaneously or at different times. Likewise, a plurality of secondimages i2 may be displayed in the second zone z2 simultaneously or atdifferent times.

The first image i1 and/or the second image i2 may be a moving image. Inthis case, the first and second images i1 and i2 may be played back atthe same playback speed or at different playback speeds, simultaneouslyor at different times. Alternatively, the first image i1 may be firstplayed back, and then, the second image i2 may be played back inresponse to the playback of the first image i1.

Also, one of the first and second images i1 and i2 may be played back,and the remaining one may be displayed as a still image.

The first image i1 may be at least one of a plurality of imagesbelonging to a predetermined image group. The predetermined image groupis a group of a plurality of images. For example, a group of a pluralityof images is a group of a plurality of image frames forming a movingimage. Like the first image i1, the second image i2 may be at least oneof a plurality of images belonging to a predetermined image group.

In this case, the first and second images i1 and i2 may belong to thesame image group or to different image groups. That is, the first andsecond images i1 and i2 may be selected from the same image group orfrom different image groups.

An example in which the first and second images i1 and i2 belong todifferent image groups will be described with reference to FIG. 3, asfollows. FIG. 3 illustrates images displayed on a display unit of anultrasonic imaging apparatus, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

An ultrasonic imaging apparatus may scan a target area several times.For example, the ultrasonic imaging apparatus scans a target area (e.g.,blood vessels) without injecting contrast media, then injects contrastmedia, and again scans the target area. As a result, the ultrasonicimaging apparatus can acquire a group of ultrasonic images for thetarget area when no contrast media is injected by the first scanning,and acquire another group of ultrasonic images for the target area aftercontrast media is injected by the second scanning.

Then, the ultrasonic imaging apparatus displays the group of ultrasonicimages (referred as first images i1) acquired by the first scanning in afirst zone z1 of a screen d, and displays the other group of ultrasonicimages (referred as second images i2) acquired by the second scanning ina second zone z2 of the screen d. In this way, the ultrasonic imagingapparatus can simultaneously display images taken before contrast mediais injected together with images taken after contrast media is injected,on the same screen. Thus, an operator may easily compare the imagestaken before contrast media has been injected with the images takenafter contrast media has been injected.

A screen on which the first images i2 taken by the first scanning andthe second images i2 taken by the second scanning are displayed togetheris illustrated in FIG. 3. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the first zone z1located to the left of the screen d displays the first images i1 for thetarget area before contrast media is injected, and the second zone z2located to the right of the screen d displays the second images i2 forthe target area after contrast media is injected. Accordingly, a usercan compare ultrasonic images taken before contrast media is injected toultrasonic images taken after contrast media is injected.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an image display apparatus according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.4, the image display apparatus may include a setting storage unit 2, acontroller 3, and a touch screen 4.

The touch screen 4 has all functions of the input unit 1 and the displayunit 4 described above with reference to FIG. 1. The touch screen 4senses a touch input (e.g., a single-touch input or a multi-touch input)from a user, thus receiving a predetermined command (e.g., selections ofimages, playing back moving images, etc.) from the user. The touchscreen 4 may display a plurality of images. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3,a screen of the touch screen 4 may also be divided into a plurality ofzones z1 and z2. The respective zones z1 and z2 may displaypredetermined images i1 and i2. However, the individual zones z1 and z2of the touch screen 4 may receive commands for the displayed images i1and i2, as well as displaying the images i1 and i2. Accordingly, a usercan intuitively input commands (e.g., a playback command, a selectioncommand, a change command, etc.) for the images i1 and i2 to the touchscreen 4, while seeing the images i1 and i2.

(2) Hereinafter, an ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to exemplaryembodiments of the present invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 5 to 19. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an ultrasonic imagingapparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,and FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the ultrasonic imaging apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Asillustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the ultrasonic imaging apparatus includesan ultrasound probe P for collecting ultrasonic image data from anobject ob, and a main body M for controlling the ultrasound probe P andcreating ultrasonic images using the collected ultrasonic image data.

The ultrasound probe P may include an ultrasonic generator P11 forgenerating ultrasonic waves, and an ultrasonic receiver P12 forreceiving ultrasonic waves reflected from a target area ob1 or generatedin the target area ob1. The ultrasound probe P generates ultrasonicwaves according to supplied power, radiates the ultrasonic waves to thetarget area ob1 of the object ob, receives echo ultrasonic wavesreflected from the target area ob1, and then converts the echoultrasonic waves into electrical signals.

For example, if an alternating current is applied to the ultrasonicgenerator P11 of the ultrasound probe P under the control of anultrasonic-waves generation controller 120 installed in the ultrasoundprobe P or in an external apparatus such as the main body M, theultrasonic generator P11 vibrates according to the alternating currentto generate ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic waves generated by theultrasonic generator P11 are radiated to the object ob, and thenreflected from the target area ob1 of the object ob.

The ultrasonic receiver P12 receives echo ultrasonic waves reflectedfrom the target area ob1, vibrates according to the frequency of theecho ultrasonic waves to convert the echo ultrasonic waves into apredetermined electrical signal, and outputs the predeterminedelectrical signal as an ultrasonic signal.

When the ultrasonic imaging apparatus is a combination of an ultrasonicimaging apparatus and a photoacoustic imaging apparatus, the ultrasonicreceiver P12 may receive sound waves (for example, ultrasonic waves)generated from the target area ob1 after a laser irradiator of thephotoacoustic imaging apparatus radiates laser beams.

According to one exemplary embodiment of the ultrasound probe P, theultrasonic generator P11 and the ultrasonic receiver P12 are implementedas an ultrasonic transducer P10 installed in one end of the ultrasoundprobe P. A transducer is a device for converting a specific type ofenergy (for example, electrical energy) into another type of energy (forexample, wave energy or light energy). The ultrasonic transducer P10converts wave energy of ultrasonic waves into electrical energy and viceversa. In detail, the ultrasonic transducer P10 enables a piezoelectricvibrator or a thin film to vibrate according to an alternating currentsupplied from a power source 121, such as an external power supply or aninternal energy storage (e.g., a battery) and to generate ultrasonicwaves. Also, when the ultrasonic transducer P10 receives ultrasonicwaves (e.g., echo ultrasonic waves) from the outside, the piezoelectricvibrator or the thin film vibrates according to the frequency of theecho ultrasonic waves, and the ultrasonic transducer P10 generates analternating current having a frequency corresponding to the vibrationfrequency, and outputs the alternating current to the outside. In thisway, the ultrasonic transducer P10 converts ultrasonic waves into anultrasonic signal. That is, the ultrasonic transducer P10 can performall functions of the ultrasonic generator P11 and the ultrasonicreceiver P12.

The ultrasonic transducer P10 may be a Magnetostrictive UltrasonicTransducer (MUT) using a magnetostrictive effect of magnetic materials,a Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Transducer (PUT) using a piezoelectric effectof piezoelectric materials, or a Capacitive Micromachined UltrasonicTransducer (CMUT) transmitting/receiving ultrasonic waves usingvibrations of several hundreds or thousands of micromachined thin films.In addition, the ultrasonic transducer P10 may be any type of transducercapable of generating ultrasonic waves according to an electrical signalor generating an electrical signal according to ultrasonic waves.

Referring to FIG. 6, the ultrasonic generator P11 of the ultrasonictransducer P10 generates a plurality of channels of ultrasonic signals,and transfers the generated ultrasonic signals to a beamingforming unit130 of the main body M.

The main body M may include a system controller 100, theultrasonic-waves generation controller 120, the beamforming unit 130, animage processor 140, a display unit 200, and a storage unit 210.

The system controller 100 controls the entire operations of the mainbody M or of the main body M and the ultrasound probe P. According toone exemplary embodiment, the system controller 100 may further includea display controller 100 for controlling the display screen of thedisplay unit 200.

The system controller 100 analyzes a user's instruction or commandreceived through an input unit i, and generates an appropriate controlcommand according to the user's instruction or command.

The input unit i receives predetermined instructions or commands from auser for controlling the ultrasonic imaging apparatus. The input unit imay be mounted on the main body M, as illustrated in FIG. 5.Alternatively, the input unit i may be separated from the main body M,and in this case, the input unit i may transmit received user'sinstructions or commands to the main body M through a wired/wirelesscommunication network.

More specifically, the input unit i may receive a command for selectinga first image, a second image, or both the first and second images,which will be described later. Also, the input unit i may receivecommands for selecting more images, such as a third image, a fourthimage, etc.

The input unit i may include various user interfaces (UIs), such as akeyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a touch screen, and a paddle. Also, theinput unit i may be a separate work station connected to the main body Mdirectly or through a wired/wireless communication network.

The ultrasonic-waves generation controller 120 of the main body Mreceives a control command from the system controller 100, generates apredetermined control signal according to the received control command,and transfers the predetermined control signal to the ultrasonicgenerator P11. Then, the ultrasonic generator P11 vibrates according tothe control signal to generate ultrasonic waves.

Also, the ultrasonic-waves generation controller 120 may generate aseparate control signal for controlling the power source 121electrically connected to the ultrasonic generator P11, and transfer thecontrol signal to the power source 121. The power source 121 applies apredetermined alternating current to the ultrasonic generator P11according to the received control signal. Then, the ultrasonic generatorP11 vibrates according to the alternating current to generate ultrasonicwaves, and radiates the ultrasonic waves to the target area ob1 of theobject ob.

The beamforming unit 130 of the main body M receives the ultrasonicsignal transferred from the ultrasonic receiver P12, and performsbeamforming on the received ultrasonic signal. FIG. 7 illustrates thebeamforming unit 130 of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus, according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7,the beamforming unit 130 includes a parallax corrector 131 and afocusing unit 132.

The time-difference corrector 131 corrects time differences betweenultrasonic signals generated by individual ultrasonic transducers T1through T8. Ultrasonic waves reflected from the target area ob1 of theobject ob or induced by laser or the like are received by the ultrasonicreceiver P11, for example, the ultrasonic transducer P10. However, sincedistances of the ultrasonic transducers T1 through T8 to the target areaob1 are different and ultrasonic waves are transmitted at the nearlysame speed, ultrasonic waves reflected/generated from the same targetarea ob1 will be received at different times by the ultrasonictransducers T1 through T8. In other words, the ultrasonic transducers T1through T8 receive ultrasonic signals with time differences. Thetime-difference corrector 131 corrects these time differences betweenultrasonic signals. For example, the time-difference corrector 131 maydelay transmission of an ultrasonic signal(s) of a specific channel(s)by a predetermined time period(s) so that ultrasonic signals of allchannels can be transferred at the same time to the focusing unit 132.

The focusing unit 132 focuses the ultrasonic signals whose timedifferences have been corrected. Specifically, the focusing unit 132gives predetermined weights, that is, predetermined beamformingcoefficients to ultrasonic signals of respective channels to enhance orrelatively attenuate ultrasonic signals of specific channels, therebyfocusing the ultrasonic signals. In this way, the focusing unit 132 cancreate ultrasonic images that meet a user's requirements or convenience.According to one exemplary embodiment, the focusing unit 132 may focusultrasonic signals received by the ultrasonic receiver P12 usingpredetermined beamforming coefficients regardless of the ultrasonicsignals (data-independent beamforming), or focus the received ultrasonicsignals using optimal beamforming coefficients calculated based on theultrasonic signals (data-dependent beamforming or adaptive beamforming).

The ultrasonic signals beamformed by the beamforming unit 130 aretransferred to the image processor 140. According to another exemplaryembodiment, the beamformed ultrasonic signals may be directlytransferred to the storage unit 210.

The image processor 140 creates and restores an ultrasonic image basedon the beamformed ultrasonic signals. More specifically, the imageprocessor 140 may restore an ultrasonic image from the beamformedultrasonic signals to be nearly the same as or similar to the originalimage, using various transformation functions such as a point spreadfunction (psf).

The image processor 140 may create ultrasonic images in several modes,such as an A mode and a B mode, based on the beamformed ultrasonicsignals. The mode A is for representing ultrasonic images usingamplitudes. Specifically, the A mode is for representing strengths ofreflection as amplitudes based on a distance or an ultrasonic-wavestransmission time between the ultrasound probe P and the target areaob1. The B mode is to represent magnitudes of echo ultrasonic waves asbrightness values on a screen. FIG. 8 illustrates an example of anultrasonic image created in the B mode by the ultrasonic imagingapparatus. When a user sees an ultrasonic image created in the B mode,the user can intuitively recognize and understand the internal tissue orstructure of an object included in the ultrasonic image, andaccordingly, the B mode is widely used in various industrial fields.

Also, the image processor 140 may correct the restored ultrasonic imageaccording to a user's intention or for a user's convenience. Forexample, the image processor 140 may correct the brightness, luminance,contrast, and/or colors of the entire or a part of an ultrasonic imageso that a user can clearly see tissues in the ultrasonic image.

The image processor 140 may restore a plurality of ultrasonic images.FIG. 9 illustrates a plurality of ultrasonic images created by theultrasonic imaging apparatus. For example, the ultrasound probe P of theultrasonic imaging apparatus radiates ultrasonic waves to a target areaob1 of an object ob several times, and collects a plurality ofultrasonic signals for the target area ob1. Then, the beamforming unit130 performs beamforming on the individual ultrasonic signals, and theimage processor 140 restores a plurality of ultrasonic images f1 throughfn as illustrated in FIG. 9 based on the beamformed ultrasonic signals.

Specifically, the ultrasonic imaging apparatus may radiate ultrasonicwaves at regular time intervals, for example, based on frames per second(fps), and thus create a plurality of successive ultrasonic images f1through fn at regular time intervals. When the plurality of successiveultrasonic images f1 through fn are sequentially displayed on a screen,a user can see a moving image, that is, an ultrasound video.

The plurality of ultrasonic images f1 through fn may be classified intoa predetermined number of image groups; first, second and third imagegroups c1, c2, and c3. The image groups are groups of a plurality ofultrasonic images, classified according to predetermined classificationcriteria, for example, according to imaging/photographing conditions orimaging/photographing times. With regard to the example of FIG. 3, thefirst image group c1 may be a group of ultrasonic images for bloodvessels taken before contrast media is injected, and a second imagegroup c2 may be a group of ultrasonic images for the blood vessels takenafter contrast media is injected.

A plurality of ultrasonic images included in the first image group c1may be a plurality of ultrasonic image frames forming an ultrasonicmoving image. Accordingly, when a plurality of ultrasonic imagesbelonging to the same group are displayed on a screen in order of timeor in reverse order of time, a moving image may be displayed.

The storage unit 210 may temporarily or permanently store beamformedultrasonic signals (RF signals) output from the beamforming unit 130 orultrasonic image signals for images generated or corrected by the imageprocessor 140. The storage unit 210 may store the ultrasonic images inthe form of row data, or in the form of processed data subject topredetermined image processing, for example, in the form of a file of aplurality of graphic images.

The display unit 200 may display beamformed ultrasonic signals outputfrom the beamforming unit 130, ultrasonic image signals subject topredetermined image processing by the image processor 140, or beamformedultrasonic signals or image-processed ultrasonic image signals stored inthe storage unit 210 on a screen.

FIG. 10 illustrates a screen displayed on the display unit 200 of theultrasonic imaging apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention. Referring to FIG. 10, the display unit 200displays a plurality of ultrasonic images i1, i2 a, and i2 b on a screend. In order to display a plurality of images on a screen, the screen dmay be divided into a plurality of zones z1, z2 a, and z2 b. Each of thezones z1, z2 a, and z2 b displays at least one ultrasonic image.

The zones z1, z2 a, and z2 b may have fixed sizes defined bypredetermined widths and heights. Alternatively, the sizes of the zonesz1, z2 a, and z2 b may vary according to the sizes or resolutions of theultrasonic images i1, i2 a, and i2 b or according to a user's commandfor changing the sizes of the zones z1, z2 a, and z2 b. Also, thelocations of the zones z1 through z2 b may be fixed according to apredetermined setting or may vary according to the sizes of theultrasonic images i1, i2 a, and i2 b or according to a user's selection.The screen d may also be divided into a predetermined, fixed number ofzones. Referring to the example of FIG. 10, a screen d is divided intothree zones z1, z2 a, and z2 b. However, a screen may be divided intofour zones or more. Alternatively, the screen d may be divided into adifferent number of zones according to the sizes of the individual zonesz1, z2 a, and z2 b, the sizes of the ultrasonic images i1, i2 a, and i2b, a user's selection, etc. The locations, sizes, and number of thesezones z1, z2 a, and z2 b may be decided according to predeterminedsettings or according to a user's selection command received through theinput unit 1 (see FIG. 1).

The zones z1, z2 a, and z2 b may display the same ultrasonic image ordifferent ultrasonic images. Each of ultrasonic images displayed on thezones z1, z2 a, and z2 b may be one of a plurality of ultrasonic imagesbelonging to at least one image group as illustrated in FIG. 9. In thiscase, ultrasonic images displayed on the respective zones z1, z2 a, andz2 b may be images belonging to the same image group or images belongingto different image groups. For example, the ultrasonic image i1displayed on the first zone z1 and the ultrasonic images i2 a and i2 bdisplayed on the second zones z2 a and z2 b may be images included inthe first image group c1. As another example, the ultrasonic image i1displayed on the first zone z1 may be an image included in the firstimage group c1, and the ultrasonic images i2 a and i2 b displayed on thesecond zones z2 a and z2 b may be images included in the second imagegroup c2 which is different from the first image group c1.

In order to display a plurality of images on a screen, referring againto FIG. 6, the display unit 200 may receive a predetermined controlcommand from the system controller 100.

The system controller 100 may include a display controller 110 forcontrolling the display unit 200 to display beamformed ultrasonicsignals output from the beamforming unit 130, ultrasonic image signalssubject to predetermined image processing by the image processor 140, orbeamformed ultrasonic signals or image-processed ultrasonic imagesignals stored in the storage unit 210 on a screen. FIG. 11 is a blockdiagram of the display controller 110 according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 11, the displaycontroller 110 may include a screen controller 111 and a commandprocessor 112.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 11, the screen controller 111 controls theentire screen that is displayed on the display unit 200. For example,the screen controller 111 decides the types, contents, or displaylocations of various information that is to be displayed on a screen ofthe display unit 200, the number of ultrasonic images that are to bedisplayed on the screen of the display unit 200, the number of zonesinto which the screen of the display unit 200 is divided, and/orlocations or zones (for example, first and second zones) in which therespective ultrasonic images are to be displayed on the screen, therebysetting a screen layout of the display unit 200. Also, the screencontroller 111 controls the display unit 200 to display a screenaccording to the screen layout.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the screen controller 111 readsvarious setting information (referring to the example of FIG. 10, thenumber of zones z1, z2 a, and z2 b into which a screen d is divided,sizes and locations of the zones z1, z2 a, and z2 b, images that arebasically displayed on the zones z1, z2 a, and z2 b, information that isadditionally displayed on the zones z1, z2 a, and z2 b, and/or a graphicinterface) stored in a setting storage unit 111 a, decides a screenlayout of the display unit 200 according to the setting information, andcontrols a screen of the display unit 200 according to the screenlayout.

The image processor 140 analyzes a user's instruction or command icreceived through the input unit I (see FIG. 1), generates a controlcommand corresponding to the result of the analysis, and transfers thecontrol command to the screen controller 111 or the display unit 200.For example, when a user inputs a selection command ic for selecting animage that are to be displayed on the first zone z1, the commandprocessor 112 analyzes the selection command ic, and transfers a controlcommand instructing the display unit 200 to display the selected imageon the first zone z1, to the display unit 200, in response to theselection command ic.

Alternatively, referring to the example of FIG. 10, when a user selectsa first image i1 as an image that is to be displayed on a first zone z1,the command processor 112 may decide the second images i2 according tothe first image i1, and may control the display unit 200 to display thefirst image i1 in a first zone z1 and the second images i2 in secondzones z2.

Referring again to the example of FIG. 10, when an ultrasonic imageincluded in the first image group c1 is selected as a first image i1,the command processor 112 may decide ultrasonic images preceding andfollowing the first image i1, spaced by a predetermined period (or atime period selected by a user) from the first image i1 or taken withina predetermined time period (or a time period selected by a user) fromthe photographing time of the first image i1, from example, an n^(th)image (a preceding image) preceding the first image i1 and an n^(th)image (a following image) following the first image i1, as second imagesi2 that are to be displayed in second zones z2. Then, the commandprocessor 112 transfers a control command instructing the display unit200 to display the first image i1 in the first zone z1 and the secondimages i2 in the second zones z2, to the display unit 200, so that thedisplay unit 200 displays the first image i1 in the first zone z1 andthe second images i2 in the second zones z2. For example, when an123^(rd) image included in the first image group c1 is selected, thecommand processor 112 may generate a control command for displaying an103^(rd) image which is a 20^(th) image preceding the selected image inthe second zone z2 a and an 143^(rd) image which is a 20^(th) imagefollowing the selected image in the second zone z2 b together with the123^(rd) image.

Also, the command processor 112 may decide the number of second imagesi2 that are to be displayed, according to a predetermined setting. Forexample, when an 123^(rd) image is selected as a first image i1, thecommand processor 112 may decide four images of two preceding images andtwo following images as second images i2. In this case, the commandprocessor 112 may control the display unit 200 to display an 103^(rd)image which is a 20^(th) image preceding the first image i1 and a113^(rd) image which is a 10^(th) image preceding the first image i1 ina zone located to the left of the first image i1, and to display an143^(rd) image which is a 20^(th) image following the first image i1 anda 133^(rd) image which is a 10^(th) image following the first image i1in a zone located to the right of the first image i1. As such, thesecond zones z2 are divided into four sub zones.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the user may select a first imagei1 and second images i2 that are to be displayed in the first zone z1and the second zones z2, respectively. In this case, the commandprocessor 112 generates a control command for displaying the first imagei1 in the first zone z1 and the second images i2 in the second zones z2,according to the user's selection command, and transfers the controlcommand to the display unit 200. FIG. 12 illustrates another exemplaryembodiment of a screen displayed on the display unit 200 of theultrasonic imaging apparatus. Referring to FIG. 12, when first andsecond images i1 and i2 are images included in a first image group c1, auser may select an 123^(rd) image of the first image group c1 as a firstimage i1, a 1^(st) image of the first image group c1 as a second imagei2 d, and a 170^(th) image of the first image group c1 as another secondimage i2 e. In this case, the 1^(st) image i2 d, the 123^(rd) image i1,and the 170^(th) image i2 e are displayed in a second zone z2 a, a firstzone z1, and another second zone z2 b, respectively.

Also, when a plurality of first images i1 that are to be displayed inthe first zone z1 are images belonging to the first image group c1, thecommand processor 112 may generate a playback control command forplaying back the first images i1 according to a user's input command,and transfer the playback control command to the display unit 200. Then,the display unit 200 may sequentially display the first images i1 in thefirst zone z1 according to the playback control command so that theimages i1 of the first image group c1 are played back on the screen.

Also, the command processor 112 may decide operations of the secondimages i2 according to an operation of the first image i1. For example,when images i1 included in a first image group c1 are being played backon a screen, and second images i2 that are to be displayed on secondzones z2 are images included in a second image group c2, the commandprocessor 112 may generate a playback control command for playing backthe second images i2 according to the playback operation of the imagesi1, and transfer the playback control command to the display unit 200.Then, the display unit 200 may sequentially display the second images i2in the second zones z2 according to the playback control command so thatthe images i2 of the second image group c2 are played back on thescreen. In this case, the first and second image groups c1 and c2 may bethe same group or different groups.

As necessary, the command processor 112 may create an appropriatecontrol command based on setting information stored in the settingstorage unit 111 a.

Hereinafter, examples of various screens that are displayed on thedisplay unit 200 according to control operations of the displaycontroller 110 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13, 14, and 15.As illustrated in FIGS. 13, 14, and 15, the display unit 200 may displayscreens of various layouts according to control operations of thedisplay controller 110.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a screen displayed on thedisplay unit 200 of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus. As illustrated inFIG. 13, second zones z2 may be sub-divided into a plurality of secondzones, for example, second zones z2 a through z2 d.

When at least one first ultrasonic image and at least one secondultrasonic image are ultrasonic image frames belonging to a first imagegroup c, a first zone z1 may display a second ultrasonic image framei13, and second zones z2 a through z2 d may display other ultrasonicimage frames i11, i12, i14, and i15 having a predetermined relationshipwith the second ultrasonic image frame i13 displayed in the first zonez1. More specifically, ultrasonic image frames preceding and followingthe first ultrasonic image frame i13, spaced by a predetermined timeperiod from the first ultrasonic image frame i13 or taken within apredetermined time period from the photographing time of the firstultrasonic image frame i13, for example, image frames just preceding thefirst ultrasonic image frame i13 and image frames just following thefirst ultrasonic image frame i13 may be respectively displayed on thesecond zones z2 a through z2 d.

Referring to the example of FIG. 13, when an 123^(rd) ultrasonic imageframe is displayed in the first zone z1, an 121^(st) ultrasonic imageframe and an 122^(nd) ultrasonic image frame just preceding the 123^(rd)ultrasonic image frame are displayed in the second zones z2 a and thesecond zone z2 b, respectively. Also, a 124^(th) ultrasonic image frameand an 125^(th) ultrasonic image frame just following the 123^(rd)ultrasonic image frame are displayed in the second zones z2 c and z2 d,respectively. In other words, an ultrasonic image just preceding adisplayed ultrasonic image may be displayed to the very left of thedisplayed ultrasonic image, and an ultrasonic image just following thedisplayed ultrasonic image may be displayed to the very right of thedisplayed ultrasonic image. According to one exemplary embodiment, thefirst zone z1 may be larger than the second zones z2 a through z2 b, asillustrated in FIG. 13.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate exemplary embodiments of other screensdisplayed on the display unit 200 of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus.As illustrated in FIG. 14, second zones z2 a and z2 b may be displayedin the upper and lower parts of a screen. In this case, a precedingultrasonic image may be displayed in the second zone z2 a, and afollowing ultrasonic image may be displayed in the second zone z2 b.Also, as illustrated in FIG. 15, second zones z2 may be arranged only inone side of a screen, for example, to the right of a first zone z1. Inthis case, a first ultrasonic image displayed in the first zone z1 maybe any one of a plurality of ultrasonic images displayed in the secondzone 2. A user may select one of ultrasonic images displayed in thesecond zones z2, and the display controller 110 may control the displayunit 200 to display the selected ultrasonic image in the first zone z1.According to one exemplary embodiment, the first ultrasonic image thatis displayed on the first zone z1 may be an ultrasonic image located inthe center of the second zones z2 among the plurality of ultrasonicimages displayed in the second zone z2.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of an ultrasonic imaging apparatus having atouch screen, according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. Referring to FIG. 16, the ultrasonic imaging apparatus mayinclude a touch screen 201 instead of the input unit i and the displayunit 200 of FIG. 6. The touch screen 201 is a user interface forreceiving predetermined commands from a user by sensing touch inputscorresponding to the user's specific gestures.

The touch screen 201 may be a resistive touch screen of detectingpressure to sense a user's touch inputs, a capacitive touch screen ofsensing a user's touch inputs using a capacitive coupling effect, or anoptical touch screen of sensing external inputs using irradiated light.The screens illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 15 may be displayed on the touchscreen 201.

A user can intuitively touch a specific region on the touch screen 201to select a desired ultrasonic image on a displayed screen. The touchoperation may be a single-touch input or a multi-touch input. The touchoperation may also include a touch-and-drag input.

Referring to the example of FIG. 15, when second zones z2 are displayedon a screen, a user may tap an ultrasonic image of images displayed inthe second zones z2, or touch an ultrasonic image of the imagesdisplayed in the second zones z2 and then dragging the ultrasonic imageto a first zone z1, thereby selecting an ultrasonic image that is to bedisplayed on the first zone z1.

FIGS. 17 to 19 are views for describing various touch inputs for theultrasonic imaging apparatus having the touch screen 201, according toexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 17, a screen td of the touch screen 201 may include afirst zone z1 and at least one second zone z2 arranged below the firstzone z1. The second zone z2 may be sub-divided into a plurality ofsecond zones z2 a through z2 g. When a user touches (for example, taps)one (for example, the second zone z2 d) of the second zones z2 a throughz2 g with his/her finger h, the ultrasonic imaging apparatus determinesthat a second ultrasonic image i20 displayed in the second zone z2 d hasbeen selected, and moves the second ultrasonic image i20 to the firstzone z1. In this way, the user may select a desired ultrasonic imagefrom among a plurality of second ultrasonic images. Also, in this case,the user may select a desired ultrasonic image using a predeterminedgesture such as a multi-touch operation other than tapping.

Referring to FIGS. 18 (a) and (b), a user may touch a specific region ona touch screen td to play back or stop an ultrasound video. For example,it is assumed that ultrasonic videos having images frames correspondingto a plurality of ultrasonic images included in an image group aredisplayed in a first zone z1 and a second zone z2, respectively, whichillustrated in FIG. 18(a). As illustrated in the left part “L” of FIG.18(a), when a user touches the first zone z1 and then drags the firstzone z1 by a predetermined distance, the ultrasound video displayed inthe first zone z1 is played back. Meanwhile, as illustrated in the rightpart “R” of FIG. 18(a), if the user touches the second zone z2 when theultrasound video displayed in the second zone z2 is being played back,the ultrasound video is stopped, which is illustrated in FIG. 18(b). Assuch, the ultrasonic videos displayed in the first and second zones z1and z2 operate in different ways depending on a user's touch inputs.

Referring to FIG. 19, a user may touch the touch screen 201 to display aspecific ultrasonic image in a first zone z1. As illustrated in FIG.19(a), the first zone z1 is positioned in the center of a display screenof the touch screen 201. A second zone z2 is divided into a plurality ofsecond zones z2 a through z2 d, and the plurality of second zones z2 athrough z2 d are arranged in both sides of the first zone z1. As aresult, as illustrated in FIG. 19, the second zone z2 a, the second zonez2 b, the first zone z1, the second zone z2 c, and the second zone z2 dare arranged in this order from left to right. The individual zones z2a, z2 b, z1, z2 c, and z2 d display predetermined ultrasonic images i21through i25.

In this case, as illustrated in FIGS. 19(a) and 19(b), if a user touchesthe second zone z2 d with his/her finger h and drags his/her finger tothe left, all the ultrasonic images i21 through i25 displayed in thezones z2 a, z2 b, z1, z2 c, and z2 d are shifted to the left. That is,the ultrasonic image i25 having displayed in the second zone z2 d movesto the second zone z2 c, and the ultrasonic image i24 having displayedin the second zone z2 c moves to the first zone z1. Also, the ultrasonicimage i23 having displayed in the first zone z1 moves to the second zonez2 b. Meanwhile, the second zone z2 d displays a new ultrasonic imagei26. If the user continues to drag his/her finger h to the left untilhis/her finger arrives at the first zone z1, the ultrasonic image i25initially having displayed in the second zone z2 d moves to the firstzone z1. That is, ultrasonic images move according to a user finger'smovement.

It is assumed that a first image is a first image frame which is one ofa plurality of image frames included in at least one image group, andsecond images are second image frames belonging to the same image groupto which the first image frame belongs. In this case, the second imageframes that are to be displayed in second zones (for example, the secondzones z2 a and z2 b of FIG. 10) may be decided according to a user'stouch input (for example, a multi-touch input) to the touch screen 201.As illustrated in FIG. 20(a), when a user touches the touch screen 201with his/her two fingers h1 and h2 and then spreads his/her fingers h1and h2 side to side, different image frames preceding and following thefirst image frame, having longer frame intervals with respect to thefirst image, may be displayed in the second zones z2 a and z2 b,respectively.

More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 20(a), it is assumed that an123^(rd) image frame is displayed in a first zone z1, an 103^(rd) imageframe is displayed in a second zone z2 a, and an 143^(rd) image frame isdisplayed in another second zone z2 b. In this case, when a user touchesthe touch screen 201 with his/her two fingers h1 and h2 and then spreadshis/her fingers h1 and h2 side to side, the 103^(rd) image framedisplayed in the second zone z2 a changes to another image frame havinga longer frame interval with respect to the 123^(rd) image frame, andthe 143^(rd) image frame displayed in the second zone z2 b also changesto another image frame having a longer frame interval with respect tothe 123^(rd) image frame. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 20(b), an83^(rd) image frame may be displayed in the second zone z2 a, and an163^(rd) image frame may be displayed in the second zone z2 b. In thisway, the frame intervals between a plurality of displayed image framesmay be adjusted.

(3) Hereinafter, various exemplary embodiments of image display methodswill be described with reference to FIGS. 21 to 24. FIGS. 21 to 24 areflowcharts of image display methods according to exemplary embodimentsof the present invention.

Referring to an image display method of an ultrasonic imaging apparatusas illustrated in FIG. 21, an ultrasonic imaging apparatus radiatesultrasonic waves to an object, collects ultrasonic waves reflected froma target area of the object, and then performs beamforming and imageprocessing to thus acquire a plurality of ultrasonic images (s300). Theplurality of ultrasonic images may be ultrasonic still images orultrasonic moving images. Then, the ultrasonic imaging apparatus decidesa first ultrasonic image and a second ultrasonic image according to auser's selection or a predetermined setting (s310). At this time, anyone of first and second ultrasonic images may be decided by a user, andthe other one may be decided by the ultrasonic imaging apparatus. Then,the ultrasonic imaging apparatus displays the decided ultrasonic imagesin the corresponding zones on a screen of a display unit. Morespecifically, the ultrasonic imaging apparatus may display the firstultrasonic image in a first zone (s410) and the second ultrasonic imagein a second zone (s420). Here, each of the first and second zones may bea plurality of zones. Also, as described above with reference to FIG.10, the first and second zones may be arranged with various sizes invarious layouts on a screen. When the first or second ultrasonic imageis a video, the first or second ultrasonic image may be independentlyplayed back.

Now, referring to an image display method of an ultrasonic imagingapparatus as illustrated in FIG. 22, an ultrasonic imaging apparatusacquires a plurality of ultrasonic images in the same way or by the samemethod as described above with reference to FIG. 21 (s300). Then, theultrasonic imaging apparatus selects at least one first ultrasonic imageaccording to a user's selection or a predetermined setting (s321), anddecides at least one second ultrasonic image based on the firstultrasonic image (s322). At this time, the ultrasonic imaging apparatusmay select at least one ultrasonic image taken within a predeterminedtime period from the photographing time of the first ultrasonic image,as a second ultrasonic image. For example, when the first ultrasonicimage belongs to one of a plurality of image groups, an ultrasonic imagepreceding the first ultrasonic image by a predetermined frame interval,or by a predetermined number of frames, may be selected as one secondultrasonic image, and an ultrasonic image following the first ultrasonicimage with the predetermined frame interval may be selected as anothersecond ultrasonic image. Then, the ultrasonic imaging apparatus maydisplay the first and second ultrasonic images in the correspondingzones of a display unit (s410 and s420).

Referring to an image display method of an ultrasonic imaging apparatusas illustrated in FIG. 23, an ultrasonic imaging apparatus acquires aplurality of ultrasonic images by the same method as described abovewith reference to FIG. 21 (s300). Then, the ultrasonic imaging apparatusdecides one or more second ultrasonic images that are to be displayedfrom among the plurality of ultrasonic images (s331), and displays thedecided second ultrasonic images on a screen of a display unit (s332).Thereafter, if a user manipulates an input unit or touches a touchscreen to select at least one ultrasonic image of the second ultrasonicimages as a first ultrasonic image (s333), the ultrasonic imagingapparatus displays the first and second ultrasonic images in thecorresponding zones of the screen (s410 and s420).

In the above description, for convenience of description, exemplaryembodiments in which the image display apparatus and method according tothe present invention are applied to an ultrasonic imaging apparatushave been provided, however, the image display apparatus and method canbe applied to Digital Radiography (DR) or Computed Tomography (CT) inthe same manner or through appropriate modifications. For example, theDR radiates X-rays to a target through an X-ray irradiator, detectsX-rays that have penetrated the target or are reflected from the targetby an X-ray detector, and acquires an X-ray image based on the detectedX-rays. The DR may acquire a plurality of X-ray images by radiatingX-rays several times or performing image processing. The acquired X-rayimages are displayed on a screen of a display unit installed in the DRor connected to the DR through a wired/wireless communication network.When the X-ray images are displayed on the screen, at least one X-rayimage may be displayed in a part of the screen, and one or moredifferent X-ray images may be displayed in the other part of the screen.In this case, the screen of the display unit may display images similarto the ones illustrated in FIG. 10. When the display unit is a touchscreen, a user can decide a format of X-ray images that are to bedisplayed or a relationship between X-ray images that are to bedisplayed, through a single-touch or a multi-touch operation. The imagedisplay apparatus and method according to the present invention may alsobe applied to CT in the same manner.

Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatchanges may be made in these embodiments without departing from theprinciples and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined inthe claims and their equivalents.

In addition, many modifications can be made to adapt a particularsituation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure withoutdeparting from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intendedthat the present disclosure not be limited to the particular exemplaryembodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out thepresent disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include allembodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ultrasonic imaging apparatus comprising: adisplay unit; and a controller controlling the display unit to display:a first set of images comprising at least one first image of a pluralityof images to be displayed in a first zone of a screen of the displayunit, and a second set of images comprising at least one second image ofthe plurality of images to be displayed in a second zone of the screenof the display unit.
 2. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein: the second image is an image selected according to thefirst image, or the first image is an image selected according to thesecond image.
 3. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising an input unit receiving a selection command forselecting the first image or the second image from an user or anexternal device.
 4. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim3, wherein the input unit receives a selection command for selecting thefirst image or the second image from among the plurality of images. 5.The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: theinput unit receives a selection command for selecting the at least onesecond image from the first set of images comprising the at least onefirst image, or a selection command for selecting the at least one firstimage from the second set of images comprising the at least one secondimage.
 6. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1,wherein: the first image is an image of the second set of images, or thesecond image is an image of the first set of images.
 7. The ultrasonicimaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the plurality of imagesare a plurality of image frames classified into one or more imagegroups, the first image is a first image frame, and the second image isa second image frame.
 8. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according toclaim 7, wherein the first image frame and the second image frame areimage frames belonging to the same image group.
 9. The ultrasonicimaging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: the first image frameand the second image frame are comprised in a ordered sequence offrames; the second image frame is preceding the first image frame in thesequence of frames or the second image frame is following the firstimage frame in the sequence of frames.
 10. The ultrasonic imagingapparatus according to claim 9, wherein a predetermined number ofpreceding image frames or a predetermined number of following imageframes are displayed in the second zone of the screen of the displayunit.
 11. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 9, whereinthe second image frame is disposed in the sequence of frames within apredetermined frame interval or a predetermined number of frames fromthe first image frame.
 12. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according toclaim 7, wherein the first image frame and the second image frame areimage frames belonging to different image groups.
 13. The ultrasonicimaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: if the first zonedisplays a first video as a sequence of frames comprising the firstimage frame, then the second zone displays a second video as a sequenceof frames comprising the second image frame and the second video isdisplayed in relation to the first video, or if the second zone displaysa second video as a sequence of frames comprising the second imageframe, then the first zone displays a first video as a sequence offrames comprising the first image frame and the first video is displayedin relation to the second video.
 14. The ultrasonic imaging apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the display unit is a touch screenreceiving an external command according to a user's touch operation. 15.The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 14, wherein at leastone of the first image and the second image is selected according to auser's gesture input to the touch screen.
 16. The ultrasonic imagingapparatus according to claim 14, wherein at least one of a first imageand a second image, displayed in a first zone on the touch screen or inthe second zone on the touch screen, changes according to a user'sgesture input to the touch screen.
 17. The ultrasonic imaging apparatusaccording to claim 14, wherein at least one of a first image and asecond image, displayed in the first zone on the touch screen or in thesecond zone on the touch screen, is a still image according to a user'sgesture input to the touch screen.
 18. The ultrasonic imaging apparatusaccording to claim 14, wherein: when the first image changes accordingto a touch operation input to the touch screen, the second image changesin correspondence to the change of the first image, or when the secondimage changes according to a touch operation input to the touch screen,the first image changes in correspondence to the change of the secondimage.
 19. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 14,wherein: the plurality of images are a plurality of image framesclassified into at least one image group, the first image is a firstimage frame, the second image is a second image frame, and a frameinterval or a number of frames between the first image frame and thesecond image frame, in a sequence of frames comprising the first imageframe and the second image frame, is selected according to a touchoperation input to the touch screen.
 20. An X-ray imaging apparatuscomprising: a display unit; and a controller controlling the displayunit to display at least one first image of a plurality of images to bedisplayed in a first zone of a screen of the display unit, and at leastone second image of the plurality of images to be displayed in a secondzone of the screen of the display unit.
 21. A method of displayingultrasonic images, the method comprising: acquiring a plurality ofimages; selecting at least one first image and at least one second imagefrom the plurality of images; and displaying the at least one firstimage in a first zone of a display screen, and the at least one secondimage in a second zone of the display screen.
 22. The method ofdisplaying ultrasonic images according to claim 21, wherein theselecting of the first image and the second image comprises: selectingthe at least one first image from among the plurality of images; andselecting the at least one second image based on the at least one firstimage selected from among the plurality of images.
 23. The method ofdisplaying ultrasonic images according to claim 21, wherein the at leastone second image is different from the at least one first image.
 24. Themethod of displaying ultrasonic images according to claim 21, wherein,in a sequence of frames comprising the first image and the second image,the second image is a preceding image preceding the first image or afollowing image following the first image.